He sentenced PKK terrorist leader Öcalan to death! The presiding judge speaks out: Remarkable comments on İmralı and 'Kurdish'

Turgut Okyay, the former presiding judge of the State Security Court who sentenced PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan to death in 1999 and an honorary member of the Court of Cassation, has made significant assessments regarding the renewed discussions on a "disarmament and peace process" in Turkey.

Speaking to Saygı Öztürk from Sözcü newspaper, Okyay responded to claims that even if Öcalan's release were to come to the agenda through a "Right to Hope" regulation, he would still want to remain on İmralı Island.

"IF THE COUNTRY IS TO ACHIEVE PEACE, LET HIM STAY"

Stating that İmralı Island is an attractive place for Öcalan, Okyay used the following expressions:

"Of course, it is a beautiful place. He would want to stay. He is staying there now. If there is to be peace in the country, if terrorism is to stop, let him stay. They are not going to give away the island. It has always been the citizens of this country who have died because of terrorism. The process that has been initiated is going well for now."

Turgut Okyay also clearly expressed his view that the process is being conducted correctly. Drawing attention to the thousand-year history of coexistence between the Turkish and Kurdish peoples, Okyay stated that Kurdish should be taught as an elective course in schools and used the following expressions:

"I think they are doing the right thing. Kurds and Turks have been living together for a thousand years. Who are you going to separate from whom? Every society has the right to develop its language. English and French are taught in schools in Turkey. What would happen if Kurdish were also taught? Would something happen? Nothing would happen. Let people develop their language and speak it. What is the harm in that?"

Arguing that it is wrong to exert pressure through language, Okyay continued his words as follows:

"As long as they do not get involved in terrorism. It is not something shameful. It is a richness. We are doing everything to keep peace alive. Even if they were to allocate the island of İmralı to Öcalan, nothing would happen."